Premier League over/under goals preview

Adam Smith has again run through all this weekend’s Premier League fixtures and come up with a tasty 14/1 over/under goal acca. Let’s see how he thinks things are going to play out …

West Ham United v Chelsea – Over 1.5

No wins now in eight for West Ham, and it doesn’t get any easier with Chelsea visiting the London Stadium on Saturday, then Arsenal next week. However, the Hammers usually raise their game in these London Derbies and can take some confidence from their performance last week against Man City.

Chelsea had a tough Champions League game against Atletico Madrid during the week, but should be still too strong for the Hammers. I see a few goals in this one and it’s a chance for Chelsea to gain some points on the Manchester clubs who play each other on Sunday.

Odds: 1/4

Burnley v Watford – Team B / Over 0.5

Watford have scored in 13 out of their 15 games this season and have scored more goals than anyone else outside of the top 5 in the table. Away from home they have scored the same amount as Man Utd and Chelsea, and more than Spurs. They have also scored two or more goals in their last five away games. Burnley are renowned for their defensive strengths but are trying to be a bit more expansive this season, which should play into Watford’s hands.

Odds: 2/5

Crystal Palace v AFC Bournemouth – Team A / Over 0.5

Two clean sheets in a row now for Crystal Palace and Roy Hodgson has certainly steadied the ship. In both games they created some decent chances and are not too far away from picking up their third win of the season. In their last four home games, the Eagles have scored two goals. I think Bournemouth will have their work cut out on Saturday and will do well to keep a clean sheet.

Odds: 1/4

Huddersfield Town v Brighton & Hove Albion – Under 2.5

No wins in six for Huddersfield and no wins in four for Brighton, and both are struggling in front of goal. Both sides will set up not to lose and if you offered both managers a point now, they would probably take it. Huddersfield have failed to score in nine out of their last 11 games and both will probably set up to try and nick this one 1-0.

A massive game for Swansea City and a defeat to West Brom will see them go at least six points off safety, possibly seven, if Huddersfield pick up a point too. The Swans will feel that they should have come away from the Britannia last week with at least a point, and looked a bit more of an attacking threat. That said, West Brom are a difficult side to break down and like the match above, both sides will set up not to lose and try and nick it 1-0.

Odds: 1/2

Tottenham Hotspur v Stoke City – Team A / Over 1.5

Spurs rested the likes of Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen during the week, and they will come back into the side on Saturday to face a Stoke side who have conceded in 13 out of their 15 games this season. Within those 13 games, they have conceded 2 goals or more in nine of them. Spurs cannot fall further behind in the Champions League race and this is a must win for Pochettino’s men.

The Foxes have scored in seven out of their last eight games, only failing to score against Man City. Claude Puel has Leicester playing well. The introduction of Demarai Gray and moving Riyad Mahrez to a number 10 role behind Jamie Vardy, has been a great move. As for Newcastle, they have conceded a lot of goals recently, two or more in their last four, and have picked up just one point in their last six games.

Odds: 1/3

Southampton v Arsenal – Team B / Over 0.5

The Gunners should be too strong going forward for them not to score. Three wins in a row before the Man Utd game last week has got them back into the Champions League race. Southampton have conceded in 12 of the 15 games they have played this season and have only one win in six against a poor Everton side who were in crisis at the time.

Liverpool are scoring goals for fun and I don’t think that even the brilliant defensive tactics of Sam Allardyce will be able to stop them. A lot of Everton fans weren’t happy with the Allardyce appointment, but he will become a legend if he can mastermind an Everton win for the first time since 1999. Liverpool have scored three goals or more in nine out of their last 10 games in all competitions, scoring 43 goals in total.

Odds: 3/10

Manchester United v Manchester City – Team B / Over 0.5

Man City have scored twice in 13 out of their 15 games in the Premier League this season. With Man Utd being the home team and looking to reduce the deficit at the top to 5 points, City should be able to exploit the space on the counter. Man Utd will need to be physical and turn it into a proper derby match if they are to win. I’m expecting both teams to score, but the title race could be over on Sunday evening.